Part-time jobs are a great way of earning a steady income whilst also fulfilling other interests or responsibilities. Taking up a part-time job can help you gain valuable work experience even though you clock in fewer hours. Part-time jobs can also be a springboard for future full-time employment, by helping you further develop necessary skills, albeit at a more relaxed pace. In this article, we will look at some of the most popular part-time jobs available in the IT and tech industry today.
Topics covered:
- IT technician
- Computer programmer
- Data Entry Operator
- Quality Assurance Analyst
- DevOps Engineer
IT technician
IT technicians are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the hardware and software components of computer systems. They are key to the smooth operation of these systems and are expected to be able to diagnose and fix any issues that may arise. Large organizations will typically have a team of IT technicians working on maintaining their systems. In smaller organizations, it is not unusual to find one or two individuals providing IT support for the whole company, or even outsourcing the job.
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Qualifications required: IT technicians are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field or, failing that, suitable work experience for two or more years. Additionally, they might be required to be familiar with the hardware and software components of the systems they work on.
Average salary: IT technicians can expect to earn anywhere between $20 and $25 per hour.
Computer programmer
Computer programmers create and test source code that is required for computer programs and applications to function. They design software, integrate systems with software, analyze algorithms, and debug operating systems. They are also responsible for managing database systems, troubleshooting system errors, and providing tech support if required. The term ‘software engineer’ is a frequently used synonym for a computer programmer.
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Qualifications required: Entry level computer programmers are usually required to have degree in Computer Science or Programming. They would have to be familiar with programming languages like Java, C++, SQL, and C#. Computer programmers expecting to work online with web applications would also be required to know JavaScript and HTML.
Average salary: A Computer programmer’s salary is usually between $25 and $30 per hour.
Data Entry Operator
Data Entry Operators, also known as junior data scientists, are among the most common IT job roles that hire part-time employees. Data entry operators are responsible for entering data into computer databases from various source documents. They review data for errors and discrepancies and ensure that the information present in the system is up-to-date and useable. They would also have to familiarize themselves with data program techniques, and data security policies.
Qualifications required: The technical requirements to be a Data Entry Operator are quite simple. Employers do not usually ask for more than a high school diploma, though an associate degree would be advantageous. Experience with data programs, accurate and fast typing, attention to detail, and good organizational skills are what employers look for in potential data entry operators. The low skill requirements for data entry operation make it one of the more popular IT jobs that hire part-time employees.
Average salary: Data Entry Operators can expect to earn around $15 per hour.
Quality Assurance Analyst
IT quality assurance analysts are responsible for testing software to ensure that they are fully reliable and user-friendly before being released to the consumer. They identify flaws within the source code by employing a test plan and report any errors to the developers. They may also be expected to fix minor glitches and report on UI/UX aspects of the software. QA analysts are typically employed by game developers, social media platforms, entertainment companies, and airlines.
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Qualifications required: In addition to a bachelor’s degree in an IT-related field, QA analysts are also required to have a general understanding of software applications and hardware systems, some programming skills, good communication skills, and the ability to logically identify flaws in an IT system.
Average salary: A quality assurance analyst typically makes about $20 per hour.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer oversees code releases and software updates, by working with developers and IT staff. DevOps engineers must know how to manage IT infrastructure that functions through cloud computing and be able to integrate the processes required for software development, quality assurance and IT operations. They would also be expected to use programming languages to create new code or update existing code in order to maintain software products and systems. Since its inception in 2009, DevOps as a profession has rapidly become a fixture in modern software development.
Qualifications required: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering is usually a minimum requirement for DevOps Engineers. Some employers also require additional certification in cloud computing services. In addition to this, DevOps engineers are expected to have a background in OS administration, an understanding of coding and scripting, a background in IT hardware, and knowledge of virtualization techniques.
Average salary: The average base salary of a DevOps engineer in the US is $85 per hour, which is well over the national average for part-time employment, and the best paid IT job hiring part-time, on this list.
Conclusion
While these are some of the most common IT jobs that hire part-time, they are by no means the only ones. With advancements in internet technology, cloud computing, and remote accessibility part-time jobs have become a popular option with employers and working professionals. Though not without some obvious disadvantages (the limitations on income, for example) the flexibility and slower pace that part-time employment offers can be a boon to those with busy schedules. And if you are thinking of testing the waters in the IT industry, opting for a part-time IT job might be your best bet to figure out how well suited you are for the role.
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About the Company:
Peterson Technology Partners (PTP) has partnered with some of the biggest Fortune brands to offer excellence of service and best-in-class team building for the last 25 years.
PTP’s diverse and global team of recruiting, consulting, and project development experts specialize in a variety of IT competencies which include:
- Cybersecurity
- DevOps
- Cloud Computing
- Data Science
- AI/ML
- Salesforce Optimization
- VR/AR
Peterson Technology Partners is an equal opportunities employer. As an industry leader in IT consulting and recruitment, specializing in diversity hiring, we aim to help our clients build equitable workplaces.
